Life Science Advanced & Cambridge
Mrs. Jensen
Welcome to Liberty Middle School, sixth grade, and to my class! I look forward to working with your child and you throughout this sure-to-be-exhilarating school year!
Course Description
This course will provide many opportunities for the study of general concepts, exploratory experiences, applications and activities relating to the life sciences. The content will include, but is not limited to: the nature of science; cell biology and the chemical basis of life; plants, animals, and microorganisms; general organization of the living world; genetics, heredity, and diversity; systems of the human body; human sexuality education; ecology and human impact; biological change through time and careers and technology in the life sciences. For a complete list of standards for Advanced Life Science you can visit the Florida Sunshine State Standards website: www.fldoe.org/bii/curriculum/sss/
This course includes laboratory investigations of life science concepts, which incorporate the use of measurement, laboratory equipment, safety procedures, experimental procedures, field work, problem solving, and the design process (e.g., planning, designing, recording and communicating). Some projects that will be assigned may require additional time outside of regular class time in order to be completed.
Expectations
Classcraft
Google Classroom
Google Drive
Think Central
Brain Pop
Progressbook
Required Materials
- One 200 page Composition Notebook (for this class only)
- One package of Pencils
- At least 6 glue sticks per student (for this class only, we use them almost every day)
- $5.00 science enrichment donation for consumable lab supplies used throughout the school year
In addition our classroom stock of consumable materials and supplies needs replenishing. To reduce the burden on your finances I have assigned each of the following items to a class period. You only need to purchase the item for your child's class period to be donated to the classroom supplies. This will allow for all children to have access to all of these items throughout the school year.
Period 1: One (or more) roll(s) of paper towels *we do lots of labs*
Period 2: Lysol or Clorox disinfecting wipes
Period 3: Lysol or Clorox disinfecting wipes
Period 4: One pack of 10+ washable markers
Period 5: Clear scotch tape dispenser or tape refills
Period 7: One pack of 24+ colored pencils
Science Enrichment Donation
Wish List
- Paper Towels
- Copy Paper
- Tissues
- Hand soap
- Hand Sanitizer
- Bandages
- Ziplock bags (assorted sizes)
- Envelopes
- Old newspapers
- Old children friendly magazines
- Colored construction paper
- Arts and Crafts supplies (pipe cleaners, fabric scraps, ribbon, yarn, string...)
- Clear plastic 2 liter soda bottles (for an end of the year project)
- Small pet (rat, bearded dragon) and aquarium supplies (food, toys, bedding, filters, etc.)
- Anything else, just ask, you never know!
What You'll Need to Know
Electronic Devices
This class will follow the guidelines set by Liberty Middle School. This means that as your teacher I retain the right to obtain your electronic device at any time with our without provocation and especially if you are not using the device properly.
Personal Cell phones should be off and out of sight during the school day.
Academic Conduct Policy
Academic dishonesty of any form will not be tolerated. You will be expected to give credit for the intellectual property of others. Cheating on an assignment, test, or quiz will result in an automatic zero and a phone call home. Talking during a test or quiz is considered cheating.
Food & Drinks
Since this is a science classroom food and drinks are not permitted. Students must keep any food and drinks in sealed containers inside their personal belongings at all times. Students are expected to thoroughly clean up after themselves at all times. Students are encouraged to wash and/or disinfect their hands upon leaving the science classroom.
Grading Policy
- A - 89.50 to 100%
- B - 79.50 to 89.49%
- C - 69.50 to 79.49%
- D - 59.50 to 69.49%
- F - below 59.50%
Absences and Missing Work
If a student has an unexcused absence or does not turn in the missing work in the allowed time frame, he or she will still be able to make up the missing assignment but will lose classroom behavior points and may face additional consequences.
It is the Student's responsibility to obtain missed assignments. A log of daily assignments and activities is kept on the class website, and google classroom and should load onto your child's google calendar if it is synced with mine!
Classroom Rules
Consequences
- First Warning: can be either verbal or inferred (eye contact, physical proximity, removal of disruptive material, closing laptop lid).
- Second Warning: is done via a warning card that is filled out by the student. He or she identifies the behaviors that are causing the disruption and signs to acknowledge this is a 2nd warning.
- Third Warning: Teacher Intervention (Seat Change, Loss of Privileges, Home Contact, Behavior Reflection Assignment, Take Home Detention, Before/After School Detention, etc.)
- Last Resort: Referral to Administrative Dean.
Mrs. Jensen
I am a Florida Native! Born in Clearwater, Florida I lived there until 2012 when I moved with my husband to Orlando. I have no human children but lots of furry, feathered and cold blooded family members. I have two cats, 4 dogs (a shiba inu and three little pugs) that I adore. I also keep a variety of small animals both at home and in the classroom I have 7 chickens, 3 bearded dragons, a turtle and many fish. I love the outdoors; a part of that stems from my love of biology, nature and science. I enjoy SCUBA diving, swimming, surfing, kayaking, hiking, rock climbing, gardening and taking my dogs to parks. When I can’t be outdoors I enjoy reading a good book, working on projects around the house watching movies or playing video games!
I graduated from high school in 2004 and completed my Bachelor’s Degree at St. Petersburg College and The University of South Florida where I majored in Biology Education. I started teaching in 2011 at Dixie Hollins High School and the following year moved to Orlando where I began teaching at Liberty Middle School.
I chose a career in education because teaching young people about science it is something I love to do. Science always has been interesting and fascinating to me and I enjoy sharing my love and passion for science with children in the hopes that they too take an interest in the field of science.
Email: amy.jensen@ocps.net
Website: http://mrsjensenlifescience.weebly.com/
Location: 3405 S Chickasaw Trail Orlando, FL 32829
Phone: (407) 249-6440